Vacation Ideas

Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic is known for it’s world class golf.  It boasts 28 golf courses designed by all the top course designers. This destination has options for every level and every budget.  Many of the hotels will offer golf deals and at certain times of the year you can get free green fees.  Many hotels offer golf courses but Punta Cana only has 3 oceanfront golf courses.

Punta Espada golf course is a jack Nicklaus designed course in Cap Cana and is the only course in Punta Cana with a PGA senior tour stop. The Corales course is also ocean front and is designed by Tom Fazzio.  This course is famous for it’s last 3 holes “Devils Elbow” and is located at the Punta Cana resort.  La Cana golf club is in Tortuga and is a PB Dye course with 27 challenging holes.  These are the three top courses in the area that are open to the public and not directly affiliated with a hotel.  This location has many more golf courses on or adjacent to the hotels.

Adjacent to the Iberostar Grand Hotel Bavaro, the newly opened Iberostar Bavaro Golf Club course was also designed by P.B. Dye and presents a different type of inland challenge including its’ 105 sand traps to tempt you at every hole. Other courses to check out in the area is the the Faldo Legacy Course, which was rated the best new course of 2008 by Travel + Leisure magazine; the Cocotal Golf & Country club’s 27 hole course with reasonable rates on 9, 18, or 27 holes of championship caliber golf adjacent to the Paradisus Palma Real.  Whatever your skill level Punta Cana is sure to have a golf course that will meet and exceed your expectations!

If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling to Punta Cana, you’ve probably heard of Bavaro Beach. Bavaro is one of the most pristine beaches in Punta Cana, which is located on the east coast of Dominican Republic and is home to some of the best beaches in the world. Bavaro Beach is 15-kilometers long and is home to some of the best all-inclusive resort/hotels in the area. Some of the most popular resorts would be Iberostar Grand Hotel Bavaro, Iberostar Bavaro All Suite Resort and the brand new 5 Star Riu Palace Bavaro.

Along with its calm waters and powder white sand, Bavaro is located only about 30 minutes from the Punta Cana airport, so making your way to your resort is quick and easy. Most resorts offer full beach access and several even have other resorts along Bavaro that you can use the facilities of, should you want to take a lovely stroll down the beach and get thirsty! Most resorts also offer a variety of water sports such as wind-surfing, snorkeling, kayaks, and catamarans. If you’re feeling adventurous, there is a great shipwreck off shore that you can kayak out to and snorkel around! There are also so public restaurants and bars accessible from Bavaro, if you want to try a little of the local flavor.

So, now’s the time to act if you’ve been dreaming of warm Caribbean beaches lined with tall beautiful palm trees. Let the calm waves and turquoise-colored waters of Bavaro Beach take you away. This is the true Caribbean paradise you’ve been searching for, and one of the top 10 Finest Beaches in the world, yet only a short flight from many U.S. cities. Hurry up before everyone finds out!

Many people think that the sunsets are what to look for in the Riviera Maya but on the contrary, the sunrise is what you should get up early for.  I was recently on a 4 night vacation in the Riviera Maya with my wife and we had the pleasure of waking up early to see some beautiful sunrises.

Since the coast of the Riviera Maya is in the Gulf of Mexico facing East, the sunrises are much better than the sunsets.  In this video you will see the sunrise from my ocean front balcony, strarting at around 6:30 am and lasting until about 7 am.  The clouds in the distance make the sun look as if there is a person playing the guitar inside of it.  Or, use your imagination and comment on what this looks like to you!

Waterparks have become a very popular request for family vacations and even adults. Finding a quality waterpark at a hotel is pretty tough. The Atlantis in Nassau, Bahamas has the most impressive waterpark I have ever seen but if you’re looking to save a lot of money and still have a great waterpark then come and stay at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa located on Rose Hall beach in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

The Hilton is home to Sugar Mill Falls, the newest and most spectacular water attraction in Jamaica. The water park has a huge lazy river, a thrill slide, cascading waterfalls and lagoons. It has three terraced pools over rock foundations and a bridge to watch it all. When it is time for a refreshment go spend some time at the swim up bar. The park also features concierge service to cater to your every need.

The Hilton Rose Hall is an all inclusive hotel and is composed of two 7 story towers and is located on 1800 foot of secluded beachfront. The hotel also has an onsite 18 hole championship golf course. The hotel offers six restaurants, a fitness center and a full service Spa. The Hilton’s Kids club is wonderful and is for ages 4-12 years old and it is complimentary with your stay.

The Hilton Rose Hall in Montego Bay is a wonderful option for those looking for a waterpark, golf, great food and an amazing beach. Call us today and let us get you a wonderful deal on your Jamaican vacation!

For all of you travelers that have been to an Iberostar property and keep going back we have great news! Iberostar has just announced their first resort on the west coast of Mexico set to open December 2013! Known for their quality, in the Caribbean and eastern Mexico that keeps travelers coming back, vacationers should look for forward to the new All Inclusive Iberostar Playa Mita opening in Puerto Vallarta. Located in the Riviera Nayarit, Mexico this all-inclusive resort is located in Playa Mita on a beautiful beach facing the Pacific Ocean and is just 45 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta. Designed as a getaway for couples and families alike, Iberostar Playa Mita will offer an extensive list of amenities for guests of all ages and interests. Iberostar Resorts are our top selling All Inclusive Resorts at Dream Vacations from the Caribbean side of Mexico (Iberostar Paraiso Maya) to the Dominican Republic (Iberostar Bavaro all suite resort) all the way to Montego Bay Jamaica (Iberostar Rose Hall complex)!

Known for its gourmet cuisine, Iberostar once again shows its passion for dining with four specialty restaurants offering a variety of cuisine, ranging from Japanese and Mexican to Gourmet fine-dining and an American-style steakhouse. The resort also offers a buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner; snack bar, several cocktail bars and 24-hour room service.

Evenings at Iberostar Playa Mita will be just as fun as days in the sun, with different entertaining shows featured nightly at the resort’s theater, and an adults-only disco playing chart topping hits late into the night. Alternatively, guests can enjoy a more laid back evening of cocktails and conversation at the hotel’s main bar. Iberostar Playa Mita will also give special attention to its littlest guests. Children ages 4 – 12 can make new friends and lasting memories at the Kids Club, where they’ll play games, make arts & crafts, participate in sports and much more. The resort also offers a separate Kids Pool and Splash Park.

Golfers can hit the links at the Litibu Golf Club, conveniently located onsite. This 18-hole, oceanfront, championship course, designed by Greg Norman, wows with stunning views of the Pacific. The undulating greens will be a challenge for golfers of all levels and will serve as a perfect golfer’s paradise, whether it’s a family of sport enthusiasts or it’s a friends’ getaway. After hitting the greens, guests can cool down and continue to take in the unforgettable sights with a poolside drink at the swim up bar.

Starting this December The Iberostar Playa Mita offers travel for those who want someplace that has something for everyone from great kids club, championship golf course, plenty of excursions in the area, or just a place to lay back and enjoy a great relaxing vacation lounging on the pool or beach. If you like experiencing new resorts this is definitely the resort to check out.  If you have never been to the west coast of Mexico, the Iberostar Playa Mita is the perfect place visit the Pacific coast of Mexico for the first time. From the golden brown beaches to the amazing scenery this is a destination everyone should check out families and couples alike! I personally cant wait to see this resort myself with my 8yr daughter.

When starting to plan for an all inclusive vacation, the first thing to consider is where you want to go.  That simply means, it’s your vacation, it’s your time and it’s your money so where do YOU want to go?  Many people call me without really thinking about this question.

As we both know there are a ton of different hotel options and many overall destination options, so how do you narrow down your search?  Well, first of all think about the location and not the specific hotel.  Would you rather go to Mexico or the Caribbean?  Let’s say for the sake of argument that you want to go to the Caribbean.  There are many islands in the Caribbean but not all islands are geared toward all inclusive stays.  So, do you want an all inclusive resort that provides all of your meals and drinks?  If so, don’t waste your time with small islands like St. Thomas or even the Bahamas because there are few all inclusive resorts in those areas.  You should focus more on places like Punta Cana or Jamaica which have a ton of all inclusive hotel options.  Also, more options typically means the better the price.

Next you need to start thinking about what you want out of this vacation.  What is most important to YOU, the beach?  The pool?  The room?  Everyone is different and although many resorts offer similar services, some resorts are geared more towards families with kids while others may be focused more on families with teenagers and so forth.  How can you tell if the hotel is geared more towards younger kids or teenagers?  Well, that’s exactly why you call us.

From this point, be sure to know what dates or at least what date range will work best for your family.  Once you know the dates and destination, you are ready to call an expert to get help in picking out the best resort to meet your needs and expectations.  Flexibility is good but too much flexibility will just muddy the water, so have some destination ideas, know what you want out of your vacation and give us a call to help you find the perfect resort.